Are you religious?

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   Gina145posted 12 years ago

   Are you religious?
   
   If not, do you ever wonder if your life would have been better if you were a believer?

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   ThompsonPenposted 12 years ago

   I wouldn't say I'm religious in the sense that I belong to a church or a specific religion, but I would certainly say that I am spiritual. I believe in science, but along with that I believe in the Universe. What that means to me is that everything that is, explained or not explained, exists within the Universe. I believe in magick, but I also believe that magick is just an aspect of science which is unexplained as of yet. the sperm being the magickal element which turns a woman's egg into a child is magick to me, but it is also explained science.
   I believe many things. I am open to a great many things. I believe in love, and I believe that is the most marvelous magick of all.

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   Renee Abbottposted 12 years ago

   Life is hard, and it doesnt matter if you believe in a Cosmic Being or not. What matters is learning from your challenges and staying positive.
   
   I am not a follower of religion. I dont quite understand the link though to being religious and believing. I am spiritual by nature and I walk it. I have a lot of faith, yet I am not religious. My faith is not attached to Judeo-Christian beliefs. I am a believer but not in those religions.

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      ThompsonPenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Well said!

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4. 83

   tsmogposted 12 years ago

   An interesting question Gina145. The second as much. I am odd with religion. I answered a similar question here in the 'answer' section many months back. The answer is 'yes, however it is the definition of religion that plays along here. My religion by definition today is 'hubpages' and not the construed practices attributed to a deity.' However, that is religion and not spirituality. I separate those two emphatically. More gnostic than theist, believer is a given and not at question, since as a gnostic believing is inclusive, yet not central.
   
   I know sounds weird. Continuing with an answer, sharing, a few years ago the religion I practiced centered around the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). Living and breathing it day in and day out some said fanatical as they sat watching a NBA playoff game. A neighbor down the street is a naturalist with strong vegan values. Her greeting to me tends to start with "When are you going to stop wearing those shoes, Tim." My reply tends to be the same "I dun'no?"
   
   The background I have is eclectic, while again I emphasize for 'self' it is spirituality that is revered today and religion is just a lifestyle choice. Remember that is only a view I have, shared, and not necessarily a truth for all or any.
   
   Regarding membership of a specific faith with its religious connotations of deity, prescribed dogma and doctrine, and traditions, well, I shall wait until marriage with a significant other. Then, we'll sit down with her religious leadership and ponder the this and that's, what must be adhered to and renounced, and finally celebrated in sacrament while facing destiny and eternity as one.
   
   Until that day I more than likely will continue practices of meditation and prayer, which is an action and not a thought. Seeking communication while allowing for awareness I shall listen with patience and hope to see without looking the answers offered freely as believing realizes the gnosis of reality. 
   
   Thank you. Gina145, for the opportunity of both pondering a wonderful and powerful question and seeking within what is not usually sought. (smile)
   
   tim

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   tussinposted 12 years ago

   I do sometimes wonder if believing in supernatural protectors would make me happier.  Though I can't say it gave me all that much comfort as a child when I did believe in the religion that was taught to me.

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   edhanposted 12 years ago

   I am a believer and has been blessed in my years of life. It is my faith and belief that helped me in my past life as it continues with my current life.

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   calynbanaposted 12 years ago

   A believer in what may I ask?
   
   A believer in Allah? A believer in Yahweh? A believer in the Big Bang theory? A believer in evolution? A believer in Jesus as the Christ?
   
   I believe in four of those listed, and I am not "religious". Religion is of men. The Bible describes what God wants. Religion falls short.

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      Gina145posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I meant a belivier in any "higher" power that makes you feel protected.  Personally I'm not sure there is one.
      I agree that religion falls short.  Religion leads to too much fighting.  And, if there truly is one God, then I don't know why.

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   JThomp42posted 12 years ago

   I really don't consider myself religious, but spiritual saved by the grace of God through his son Jesus Christ who died on the cross for all's sin if we accept him into our hearts and confess it with our mouths that Jesus is our savior. The reason for this is while growing up I was taken to many different churches. Baptist, First Baptist, Holiness, and Pentecostal in which each interpret the Bible differently. So, I decided not to really follow any doctrine, rather study the Bible and come to my own beliefs and conclusions about what it is telling me. There are so many different interpretations of the Bible that it can be very confusing. Therefore, I recommend instead of listening to man, study the Bible and feel secure in your own beliefs.

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   CrescentSkiesposted 12 years ago

   I'm not and I do wonder...and that thought is promptly crushed when I look at the rules of most religions carefully. It's surprising how many people on an every day basis claim to be extremely religious and are actually constantly breaking the core tenants of their own religion.

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